Combined safety control device and shut-off cock



Jam 28 1941- J. H. THORNBERY 2,229,826

COMBINED SAFETY CONTROL DEVICE AND SIjIUT-OFF COCK Filed Nov. 1o, 1958 Patented Jan. 28, 1941 SHUT-OFF C v :if y John Thornbery,M-iiwankc.e, Wisaasalgnor Milwaukee-Gas Special Wisconsin t WIS a corporation of tyCompanmMilwaukea p .f l

i Applicationflvovember 1o, 193s, sei-liu No. 239x191"A This invention relates to a combined vsafety control device and shut-off cock.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention the shut-on cock is in the form of aconical valve plug adapted for shutting oil'fthe yflow of fuel to a burner, and lthe safety control device is in the form of a thermo-electric control device of lthe general character shown and described in John H. Thornbery and Harold A. Mantz Patent No.

lo 2,126,587, granted August' 9. 1938, and in the copending application of Clarence Wantz, flied November 10, 1938, Serial No. 239,790. v

Heretofore in the art it has been customary to make the shut-off cock and safety control device in the'form of separate devices .and to connect sameiseparately into the fuel supply line for the burner, which may be the burner for an oven or for a room heater, or water heater, or one or more of `the'top burners 'of a gas range, or any other burner. This increases the manufacturing and installation costs and requires separate joints and connections in the fuel supply line for the shut-oil cock and control devices, and presents other disadvantages which the present invention overcomes. z

While the particular device whichI shall describe hereinafter in connection with the drawing has the valve member of the thermo-electric control device connected to the armature for movement to open and closed positions with movement of the armature to attracted and retracted positions, itis to be understood that the invention is not limited toluse in this particulark form of device but may be employed in all similar forms of devices-by way of example, in devices in which the movement of the armature controls a switch connected in circuit with a solenoid valve which ls operable to open and close the fuel supply line to-the burner.

One of the main objects of my invention is to obviate the disadvantages heretoforepresented where ,the safety controldevice and shut-oil` cock are in the form o f separate devices by providing as a new and complete article ready for use a combined shut-off cock and safety control device of the character set forth formed as a unitary device. v `It is also anv object of my invention to provide a combined safety control device and shut-oi! 50 cock of relatively simple `and inexpensive construction, and which may be installed and operated conveniently and effectively; also a device of this character composed of relatively few parts and adapted for convenient and expedi- 55 tious manufacture and assembly.'

"is claims. (ci. zii-725),

Further objects and advantages ofthe inven-' tion will be apparent from the'follwing detailed: description takenjin connection with the accom-l panyingvldrawing, in which: f Y

Figure 1 is an axial section4 through-a coin-a 5 bined safety control device and shut-off. cock enibodying the present invention on ,and enlarged scale, and taken on thefline' I-I of Flgure'2: Figure 2 is an elevational view of the same showing the connected thermocoupletherefor. f Referring to the drawing. the thermo-'electric control device and shut-off cock designated in its entirety at III comprises a valve body II having an inlet I2 and an outlet lI3 by means ofv which the device is connected into the fuel supply pipe (not shown). The inlet and outlet may lbe reversed, i. e., the opening I3 maybe the inlet and the opening I2 the outlet. The fuel supply pipe supplies gaseous or any other suitable'fuel to the burner, which may 'be any suitable or preferred main burner,by way of example, for an oven, or for a room heater, or a water heater, or it may be one or more ofthe main top burners of a gas range, or any other burner. f I

The lead connection cap and magnet and armature housing assembly mounted upon the top of the valve body I I, as the same is'viewed inv Figure 1, and closing the upper end of the bore Il vthereof is, in some respects, ofthe general character disclosed and claimed in the previously mentioned copendlng application of 'Clarence Wantz. The metallic-magnet base I6 has an ex'-` ternally threaded extension I'I threadedinto the upper end of the valve body II. The magnet* housing I8 is in the form of an upwardly opening cup-shaped metal shell mounted on the magnet base I6.'for example, by secure pressed fit engagement of its open upper end in the magnet base at I9. The housing or shell I8 is reduced vat its lower end at 20, andthe armature housing 2|, which is alsov in the form of an upwardly opening vcup-shaped metal shell, is mounted on the shell I8,-for example, by secure pressed fit of its open upper end telescopically over the reduced lower end 20 of the shell I8. The lower end of the shell 2 I is preferably reduced as shown.`

The electromagnet comprises a generally U,. shaped magnet frame positioned vwithin thev4 shell Il with its legs extending lthrough 'open-2" ings in the lower end of this shell and'presenting ai pole ends within the armature housing'llf. The magnet frame 25 has a threaded stud 26 welded or otherwise rigidly joined thereto at 21. or formed integral therewith. The stud 26 is good conductive contact therewith.

' claimed in Oscar J. Leins The thermocouple and lead connection therefor are of the general character disclosed and Patent No. 2,128,564, granted August 9, 1938. .The thermocouple l5 comprises an outer tubular metallic thermocouple member 3l and an inner metallic thermocouple member 31 disposed within the outer thermocouple member and joined at one end to the end of the outer thermocouple member to form the thermal junction 38 which is placed in position vto be heated-for example, by the pilot light for the main burner. An inner lead conductor 3l is joined to the inner thermocouple member to form an internal thermal Junction III. and an outer tubular lead conductor 4I is connected through a sleeve 42 to the outer thermocouple member to form a, third thermal Junction ll. The outer lead conductor II- and sleeve l2 enclose the inner lead conductor, and, with the outer thermocouple member, constitute an enclosure about the inner thermocouple member and the inner lead condu'ctor and the inner thermal junction 4l. The inner' lead conductor is is insulated from the outer lead conductor by a wrapping of insulation on the inner lead conductor as indicated at M.

The inner and outer lead conductors $5 and 4I are preferably of a character that will permit Y site end the outer lead v the outer .lead conductor bending, as desired, to permit disposing the thermocouple in any desired position. At the same time, the lead connection is preferably of a character to support the thermocouple in any desired position, although supporting brackets or other means may be employed for supporting the thermocouple and lead connection. At the oppoconductor II is secured in the cover 32 and in good with the cover at I5. The 39 extends from the end of 4I and into the cover 32 in a sleeved opening conductive contact inner lead conductor as shown in Figure 1.

The electromagnetic coil 50 surrounds the legs of the magnet frame 25. One bared end of the coil lead is connected at 52 to the top of the magnet base I6 in a manner to have good conducting contact therewith, the coil terminal 52 being thereby 'connected through the magnet base and the cover 32 4I which is connected to the cover 32 at 4l. The opposite end of the coil I6, or the coil lead therefor, is connected at 53 to the inner end ofthe inner lead conductor Y housing 2 I and is adapted to be held in attracted position against the pole ends of the magnet frame 25 upon energization of the electromagnet.

to the outer tubular lead conductor.

39 in a manner to have good conducting contact therewith. An insulator 54 is The amature Il is of disc-like form. and is secured to the upper end of a reciprocatory valve stem 52. The attachment of the armature to the valve stem 52 at 5I is preferably suiiiciently loose, as indicated more or less diagrammatically. to permit self-accommodation of the amature to the pole ends of the magnet frame by a generally universal movement of the armature upon the upper end of the valve stem. The stem 52 is diaposed generally concentrically with respect to the armature housing'2l and extends downwardly for reciprocating movement through an opening 55 in the lower end of the housing 2I.

The valve member Il is nxed by a pin upon the lower endof the valve stem I2, preferably for some relative movement thereon, so as to have self-accommodating sealing engagement with the cooperating valve seat 10 at the upper end of the valve seat member 12. Packing 13 of felt or other suitable or preferred material is interposed between the bottom of the armature housing '2l and a metal valve spring seating disc 1l. The valve spring 15 is in the form of a coiled compression spring interposed between the valve member 5l and the lspring seating disc 14, and centered, if desired, at opposite ends about integral hub-like portions on the valve member 58 and valve seating disc 14. The spring 15 resiliently moves the armature 50 to retracted position, and the valve member 55 into4 seating engagement with the valve seat 1l to shut ofi. the iiow of fuel to the outlet Il and thereby to the burner when the electromagnet is deenergized.

v'ilhe disc 1I seats downwardly upon a shoulder 15, and the action of the spring 15 tends to compress the packing 13 and maintain same in sealing engagement with thebore I4 and with the valve stem 52 to seal the interior of the armature housing 2I from the gaseous or other fuel which passes through the valve body and to seal the valve body against the escape of fuel out around the magnet base I5 and magnet and armature housings.

The magnet base and magnet and armature housing assembly is of simple and inexpensive construction, and is adapted to be applied to and removed from the valve body I I, or similar struc. ture, expeditiously and as a unitary structure. At the same time, the armature housing 2l is detachable from the magnet housing I8 to permit access to the armature 60 and the pole ends of the magnet frame 25. The magnet housing I5 may also be adapted for detachment from the magnet base I6 to permit access to the magnet frame 25 and magnet coil 50.

The heat of the pilot light (not shown) upon the thermal junction 38 of the thermocouple will set up a thermo-electric current sumcient to cause the electromagnet to hold the armature 50 in attracted position and the valve member 5B in open position as shown when the armature is engaged with the pole ends of the magnet frame. but the thermo-electric current is not capable of moving the armature to attracted position and g the valve member 65 to open position. In order,

set means is combined with the shut-ofi cock in a manner which will now be described. l

The shut-off cock is in the form of a hollow truncated conical plug 50 with its conical surface tinguished, reset means is provided, and this rei seated in a corresponding truncated conical bore li-I fmrtheiower'endor thevalvebody' I i.-y Threads? ed upon the lower end' of the valve body QI'-is fawhich 'may be hurled-externally, as shownin the va'lve plug' 80 fonrotation with' the plugby splaying the fsides offthfplug and `foi-'ming the' cir-'circumferential opening 84" inthelower end of thewvalve bodyII and limits 'therotation of theJshut-'oi tremity, withthe port88 in full registration with the outlet I8 and, at the other extremity, with valve member 09 is the spring which returns the reset stem tol the .port 88' completely out of registerl with vthe outlet I3.

A coiled spring 85 is interposed between the stop disc 8l andthe lower end of the cap 82 and actsto maintain the conical surface of the plug 80 resiliently and, at-the same time, tightly seated in the bore 8|. The plug 80 has the opening or port 88 which is adapted to be moved into and out of register with the outlet I3 by rotation of the plug 80. f

For the purpose of rotating the plug, its outerend has a handle piece or knob 90 x'ed thereon. The handle 90 may be xed upon the plug member 80 to turn the same therewith-for example.

by splaying the sides of the outer end of the plugv member and providing the handle with a correspondingly formed opening for locking engagement therewith. A handle screw 9I,- threaded internally into the outer end of the plug member 80 and having its head cooperating with the handle member as shown, llocks the handle member removably in place upon the plug member 80.

The reciprocatory reset stem |00 is disposed centrally within the shut-on plug member 80 in positionv coaxial with "the valve member 68. Its

lower end proiects from the lower end of the handle screw 9|, and has a reset button I 02 threaded or otherwise xed thereon. The reset button '|02 has sliding movement in the axial opening |03 in the screw 9|, and interposed between the reset button and a bearing or abutment member |04 is a coiled reset return spring |05. The stem |00 has reciprocatory movement through the member |04 which abuts an internal ange |06 on the plug `member 80.

The upper surface of the flange |06 presents a valve seat |08, and fixed on the steiny |00 for reciprocatory movement therewith is a reset valve member |09. In the position shown, the seated upon the seat |08 by projected position and prevents the escape of fuel outwardly along the stem |00 |02. A shut-olf sleeve valve or cylinder II2 is xed to the reset valve member |09 for vreciprocatory movement with the reset stem I 00. This sleeve valve or cylinder II2 is adapted when the reset stem is pressed upwardly in the resetting operation to slide within the cylindrical bore II I in the plug member 80 and into position over and closing or shutting oil the opening 88 to close or shut oi communication between the interior of the valve body andthe outlet I3, and thereby the supply of fuel to the burner supplied from the outlet I3. The sleeve valve or cylinder II2 has a vent opening |I5 to equalize thepressureI on opposite sides and prevent any interference with the movement of the valve sleeve II2 by a plunger action or the like.

Q FigurefZJ .Disposed within 'thecap' 1 82 'and abutting -'ashoulder 182 on the plug mein-4l ber 80`is a stop dise184.' #The disc 845 is 'xed'on" -frame 25 and 'armaturek60are of anfalloy of relatively lowniagneticreluctance,

to about 90 degrees in one ex` and, as a` res`ult',`;the relatively weak thermo;Av

and reset button The- Put ,burner (not sl'iownl vmay be supplied with vmel b9 a pilot-.burner inbefore'identined- The operation 'of the device isas follows.

"When the pilot light isburning, 'the heatftheree'VL or upon thetnermaliunctionn produces eitherelectric current produces a magnetic ileld' of'sufilcient strength so thatwhen the amature 80 is placedin contact with the pole ends of themas"- net frame by pushing the'reset button |02, the magnetic attraction holds the amature in raised or attracted position against thel magnet frame with a force greater thanl the force exerted byv -y holding the valve 68 inV open position so long as the pilot :dame is burnthe spring '15, thereby inwardly. The accompanying upward movement of the stem |00 and valve member'l09 movesy the valve sleeve I'I2 upwardly against opening 88 to shuton the-supply of fuel tothe burner, and the upper end of the stem |00 contacts the valve'member 68 and moves -thisvalve member and the valve stem 62 and armature 60 upwardly as a unit until the armature comes into contact with the pole ends ofthe magnet frame 25 or is brought into attracted position and the valve member 68 is positioned in` open position as shown.

If the pilotburner in attracted position, the valve 68 will remain open, 'and when the resetting-button |02 is releasedrthe spring |05 returns the reset button and stem |00 to downwardly shown. As the reset stein moves downwardly, the sleeve valve I I2 uncovers the opening-88y sol that a supply of fuel may be set up to the main burner for ignition by the pilot light.

If, on the other hand, the pilot burner is not lighted to produce the thermo-electric'current for holding the valve 68 open, this valve will move to closed position upon release and in this manner the device sage of fuel through the outlet and to the main burner until the pilot burner is lighted and a thermo-electric current set up to hold the armature in attracted position.

In order to turn on or shut oil Ithe supply of prevents thepaspreferably formedx position with the' l the tension of i the spring |05. The sleeve valvev I l2 closes thev is lighted and sets up a thermo-electric current to hold the armaturel of the button |02,

projected position asI '55 fuel to the burner independently of the valve mum supply of fuel to the burner. By rotating the plug Il .until the opening il is completely out of register with the outlet Il, the IUPUI! of fuel through the outlet il, and thereby the supg ply of fuel to the burner, is completely shut on. Intermediate supplies of fuel through the outlet Il may be provided by intermediate amounts of registration of the opening Il with the outlet i3.

From the foregoing description it will be ap- 1o parent that the shut-off cock and reset means for the thermo-electric control device is of simple and effectively and requires fewer joints or con- 20 nections in the fuel supply line. The combined device is composed of relatively few parts as compared with two separate devices, and the parts are adapted for convenient manufacture and assembly.

gig Within the broader aspects of the invention the valve l may be in the form of a disc type valve or of other suitable form instead of comprising a tapered plug or cock type valve as shown in the drawing, and the broader of the $0 appended claims are to be construed accordingly.

I do not intend to be limited to the precise details shown or described.

I claim: l. In a device of the character described, in g5 combination with a control device having an electromagnet provided with an amature connected to a controlling member and adapted when Y energized to hold said member in operating position and when deenergized to release said mem- 40 ber for movement to a safety position, of a shutoff cock mounted in said control device, and a reset stem mounted in said shut-oil' cock and operable to reset said armature to attracted position and said controlling member to operating 45 position.

2. In a device of the character described, in combination, a valve body having an inlet and an outlet and provided with an electromagnet having an armature connected to a valve member 50 within said valve body and adapted when energized to hold said valve member in open position and when deenergized to release said valve mem- -ber for movement to closed position, of a shut-off cock mounted in said valve body and operable to 55 control the flow of fuel through said valve body when said valve member is in open position, and a reset stem mounted in said shut-oil cock and operable to reset said amature to attracted position and said valve to open position.

60 3. In a device of the character described, in combination, a valve body having an inlet and an outlet and provided with an electromagnet having an armature connected to a valve member within said valve body and adapted when ener- 65 gized to hold said valve member in open position and when deenergized to release said valve mem-- ber for movement to closed position, of a shut-oiI cock mounted in said valve body and operable to' control the ow of fuel through said valve 7 body when said valve member is in open position, a reset stem mounted in said shut-off cock and operable to reset said armature to attracted position and said valve to open position, and ow interrupter means carried by said reset stem and 75 operable in said shut-off cock to interrupt the ,asepac iiowthrough the valve body'during the resetting operation. i

4. In a device of the character described. in combination, a valve body having inlet and outlet openings and provided at one end with an elec- 5 tromagnet having an armature connected to a valve member within said valve body and adapted when energized to hold said valve member in open position and when deenergized to release said valve member for movement .to closed pcsi- 10 tion, the opposite end of said valve body having a generally\conical bore, a generally conical shutoff cock mounted in said bore and having a lateral opening for movement into and out of registery with one of said inlet and outlet openings, and reset. means mounted in said shut-oi! cock and operable to reset said armature to attracted position and said valve member to open position.

5. In a device of the character described, in combination, a valve body having inlet and outlet 2 openings and provided at one end with an electromagnet having an armature connected to a valve member within said valve body and adapted4 when energized to hold said valve member in open position andwhen deenergized to release said valve member for movement to closed posltion, the opposite end of said valvel body having a generally conical bore, a generallyconical shutoil cock mounted in said bore and having a lateral opening for movement into and out of regis- 3 ter with one of said inlet and outlet openings, a reset stem mounted in said shut-oi! cock and operable to reset said amature to attracted. position and said valve member to operating position, and a sleeveV valve member carried by said reset stem and slidable in the bore in said shutoiI cock to close the lateral opening in said shutoil' cock during the resetting operation.

6..In a device of the character described, in combination, a valve body having inlet and outlet 40 openings and provided with an electromagnet having an armature connected to a valve member within said valve body and adapted when energized to hold said valve member in open position and when deenergized to release said valve member for movement to closed position, said valve body having a generally conical bore, a generally conical shut-olf cock mounted in said bore, reset means `mounted in said shut-ofi cock and operable to reset said armature to attracted position and said valve member to open position,stationary stop means on the valve structure, and a stop member splined upon said shut-oi! cock and engageable with said stationary stop means for limiting rotation of said shut-off cock.

l. In a device of the character described, in combination, a valve body having inlet and outlet openings and provided with an electromagnet having an armature connected to a valve member within said valve body and adapted when 00 energized to hold said valve member in open position and when deenergized to release said valve member for movement tol closed position, said valve body having a generally conical bore, a generally conical shut-oil cock mounted in 05 said bore, reset means mounted in said shut-off cock and operable to reset said armature to attracted position and said valve member to open position, stationary stop me`ans on the valve structure, a stop member splined upon said ahutoff cock and engageable with said stationary stop means for limiting rotation of said shut-of! cock, a spring cap attached to the valve body. and a spring interposed between said stop member and said spring cap for maintaining the shut-oil' cock seated in the generally conical bore in said valve body.

8. In a device of the character described, in combination, a valve body having inlet and outlet openings and provided withan electromagnet having an armature connected to a valve member within said valve body and adaptedwhen energized to hold said valve member in open position and when deenergized to release said valve member for movement to closed position, said valve body having a generally conical bore, a generally conical shut-01T cock mounted in said bore, said shut-off cock extending from the valve body and having a handle part fixed upon its extending end, and a reset stem mounted in said shut-01T cock and provided with a r'eset portion extending from said handle part, said reset stem being operable to reset said armature to attracted position and said valve member to open position.

9. In a device of the character described, in combination, a valve body having inlet and outlet openings and provided with an electromagnet having an armature connected to a valve member within said valve body and adapted when energized to hold said valve member in open position and when deenergized to release said valve member for movement to closed position, said valve body having a generally conical bore, a generally conical shut-off cock mounted in said bore, said shut-01T cock extending from the valve body and having a handle part fixed upon its extending end, a reset stem mounted in said shutoi cock and provided with a resetting button extending from said handle part, said reset stem being operable to reset said armature to attracted position and said valve member to open position, a handle screw secured to the end of said shut-off cock for holding the handle thereon, shoulder means on said shut-ofi cock, and a reset stem return spring interposed between said shoulder means and said resetting button.

l0. In a device of the character described, in combination with a control device having an electromagnet provided with an armature connected to a controlling member and adapted when energized to hold said member in operating position and when deenergized to release said mem-ber for movement to a safety position, of a shut-off cock mounted in said control device, a reset stem mounted in said shut-01T cock and operable to reset said armature to attracted position and said controlling memberto operating position, and a. valve member carried by said reset stem for sealing the control device against leakage along said reset stem.

l1. In a device of the class described, a first valveA member, an electromagnet, an armature for said electromagnet which, when attracted, holds said first valve member in open position, said first valve member being operable to closed position when said armature is retracted, a second valve member operative to control the flow through said device, and cooking means mounted in said second valve member and operative to cock said armature to attracted position and said rst valve member to open position, said cooking means being ineffective to operate said second valve member in the cocking operation.

12. In a device of the class described, a rst valve member, an electromagnet, an armature for said electromagnet which, when attracted, holds said first valve member in open position, said first valve member being operable to closed position when said armature is retracted, a second l.valve member operative to control the iiowl through said device, cooking meansmounted in said second lvalve member and operative lto cock said armature to attracted positionand said ,holds said rst valve member in open position,

said first valve member being operable to closed position when said armature is retracted, a rotatable valve plug for controlling the flow through said device, and cocking means mounted for reciprocatory movement in said valve plug and operative to cock said armature to attracted position and said i'lrst valve member to open position without actuating said valve plug.

14. In a device of the class described, a first valve member, an electromagnet, an armature for said electromagnet which, when attracted, holds said first valve member in open position, said iirst valve member being operable to closed position when said armature is retracted, a rotatable valve plug for controlling the iiow through said device, cooking means mounted for reciprocatory movement in said valve plug and operative to cock said armature to attracted position and said ilrst valve member to open position, and flow interrupter means for shutting off the flow through the device in the cocking operation.

15. In a device of the class described, a first valve member, an electromagnet, an armature for said electromagnet which, when attracted, holds said valve member in open position, said valve member being operable to closed position when said armature is retracted, a valve plug member mounted in said device and operative to control the flow therethrough independently of said ilrst valve member, and cooking means mounted in said valve plug member and operative to cock said armature to attracted position and said first valve member to open position.

16. In a device of the class described, a first valve member, an electromagnet, an armature for said electromagnet which, when attracted, holds said valve member in open position, said valve member being operable to closed position when said armature is retracted, a valve plug member mounted in said device for controlling the flow therethrough, cooking means mounted in said valve plug member and operative to cock said armature to attracted position and said valve member to open position, and means operable with said cooking means for shutting off the flow through said device in the cooking operation.

17. In combination, a valve body having an inlet and an outlet, a first valve member in said valve body, an electromagnet mounted on said valve body, an armature for said electromagnet which, when attracted, holds said valve member in open position, saidvalve member being operable to closed position when said armature is retracted, a rotatable Vvalve plug member mounted in said valve body substantially coaxial with said rst valve; member and said armature and. operative to control the new through said valve body, and cooking means mounted for reciprocatory movement in said valve plug member and operative to cock said armature to attracted position and said valve member to open position.

6 aangaan l A.

i8. In oombination. a valve body havin: an inlet and an outlet, a first valve member in said valve body. an eiectromagnet mounted on said valve body, an armature for said electromagnet which, when attracted, holds said valve member in open position, said valve member'being operable to closed position when said armature is retraeted, a rotatable valve plugfmembermounted in said valvebody substantially coaxial with said 10 nrst valve member and said amature and oper- Y JOHN H. 'I'HORNB mY. l0 

